Worship as a Child

Do you know how little children are so excited when their daddy walks through the door? Or how they run to him when they are hurt? The daddy does everything he can to reach his children and bring them in his arms and give them hugs and kisses, rejoices with their exultation and comforts them in their need.

The message last night by Pastor Steve Wexler was on worship and he said that when we worship God is blessed, we are blessed and we are changed. One point in particular stood out to me: "He renews your youth -- you're always young in His presence."

I had a picture in my mind of a girl, playing on the mountainside picking flowers, running through the green grasses, rejoicing in the beauty around her and most of all in Her Creator (almost like Maria at the beginning of The Sound of Music). I sensed that our Father in heaven delights in our praise, desires for us to remain in the posture of wonderment and adoration!

As we worship, He is blessed! Psalm 103:1-5 (The Message) "O my soul, bless GOD, from head to toe, I'll bless His holy name, O my soul, bless GOD, don't forget a single blessing!"

We sang the song "Here in Your Presence" and one of the lines is "here in Your presence heaven and earth become one." That overwhelms me...."heaven and earth become one." I picture myself worshiping our God here on earth and Lonnie worshiping Him in heaven with my mom and dad, his father and so many more precious loved ones. Yes, that definitely can bring a childlike dance to my step!

Wow, that's awesome!

Wooden's 7-Point Creed

I was at the bookstore one day and saw this book by John Wooden, the famous basketball coach and one of Lonnie's favorites. He gave this 7-point creed to his son when he graduated from elementary school:

Be true to yourself

Make each day your masterpiece

Help others

Drink deeply from good books including the Good Book

Make friendships a fine art

Build a shelter against a rainy day

Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

(This is found on page 290 of "Wooden on Leadership" by John Wooden and Steve Jamison)

He also said: "Nobody cares how much you know (until they know how much you care)."

And a side note: Want to say that I am so proud of our little four-year-old grandson, Elijah, who is just growing up so fast and had his birthday recently. He is a delightful little boy, is playing T-ball now, learning his Bible verses at AWANA, loves his family and is loved by us all!

Your granmommy loves you, Elijah! Happy Birthday!

Remind Me Every Day

I wanted to share just a few verses that have blessed and helped me through the years. I remember Lonnie saying that different books of the Bible were his favorites as he was reading and studying them. I understand what he was saying. May His Word always be fresh in our hearts, so that we are continually adding to our favorites!

“The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). I remember riding my bike down Main Street in Miles City, Montana, with a high school friend and singing this song with all my might, feeling the wind blow through my hair and celebrating the presence of the Lord in my life. How carefree I felt at that moment! I believe the Lord would want us to sense His joy every day!

“My soul wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5). When I was in college, I was praying in the basement of the dorm and crying out to God for His leading and direction. This verse ministered to me to look to Him for everything. I made up a little song that went, “My confidence is in Jesus, my security is in Jesus, my identity is in Jesus. Jesus, You are my all.” While in college, my family went through a very difficult time and these words helped me to walk through those days....and they help me to walk through these days too.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6). Lonnie and I sought to do this in our life together. It is my desire to trust in Him today and every day forward. Some things I will not be able to understand but that’s just it…I don’t have to lean on my own understanding. Trusting in the Lord is my responsibility. As I trust, I find refuge and solace and peace in Him. I need to do it every day. I have to do it every day. I get to do it every day. Trust!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22,23). These words were whispered in my ear on the morning Lonnie passed away and have been whispered in my heart ever since. I want to be reminded of them every day. "His mercies are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness."

“Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee” (Joshua 1:9). Jason and I were talking about our awareness of the Lord's presence with us in times of sorrow and suffering. He is Emmanuel, God with us....every day! Amazing!

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you” (Isaiah 41:13). Jeremy found this verse written in the front of one of Lonnie's Bibles. It has been a source of encouragement and comfort to me and our family.

"My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2).

Thank you, Lord, for Your help every day! Every day!